Still Winter

It is still winter, season of harsh, cruel beauty. I've been whining this week because our weather continues to be colder and wetter than average. Then I read Ev Barbee's blog, Arrows & Prayers (www.arrowsandprayers.blogspot.com). She is in India, working in mission with women. She does a short term trip somewhere every year. Her writing is beautiful, thoughtful and convicts me of the pampered life I am fortunate to have. I don't know Ev, but I've become a follower. Her father has been my dentist since before she was born. Later the news shows the northeast, where people are truly suffering winter. How dare I complain. Yet I long for a warm sunny weekend like last so I can be outdoors and stretching my body. My garden vision for next weekend, barring rain:

2/28/2010
Fiery ritual
Garden bed aflame
Dross and pests consumed by fire.
Purification.


Two contrasting views on winter's past:

12/2008
Winter Forest
Stripped of excess green
The winter forest reveals
its inner beauty.

3/15/2009
Trees broken and torn
By nature's cold cruel hand.
Winter storm of ice.

Winter Thoughts

1/24/2010 Downpour Rain. 

Falling, pooling, running, 

roiling, joining streams. 

Moving always down.

1/31/2010 Winter Day 

Shadows in winter 

Crisp against glist'ning snowpack. Icy trees aglow. 

 2/3/10 Water 

Old as creation. 

Created new each moment. 

Life-giving water.

2/13/10 Old Leaves 

Brown leaves dripping ice Clinging beyond their season Refuse to let go. 

 2/18/10 Winter Receding 

Casted shadows long, 

Later by each waxing day. 

Winter receding